Jimmy Kimmel Apologizes 'For Saying Kids In America Should Have Health Care'

NEW YORK, NY — Jimmy Kimmel shot back Monday at criticism of his monologue that detailed the medical challenges of his newborn son and urged lawmakers to preserve the protections laid out in Obamacare.

"I would like to apologize for saying kids in America should have health care," Kimmel said acerbically in his opening monologue on his late night show. "It was insensitive. It was offensive, and I hope you can find it in your heart to forgive me."

He took aim at Newt Gingrich, a former Republican House Speaker and defender of President Trump. On "Fox News Sunday," Gingrich tried to dismiss the problems Kimmel had raised regarding young kids who lack health insurance.

"If you show up at a hospital with a brand new baby, and the brand new baby has a heart problem, the doctors of that hospital do everything they can to save the baby," he said. "They don't say, 'We'll take care of the baby right after you write a check' — they try to save the baby's life. And that's true across the board in this country."

"Yes, it is true that if you have an emergency, they will do an operation," Kimmel replied. "And that's terrific, if your baby's health problems are all solved during that one visit. The only problem is: That never, ever happens. We've had a dozen of doctors appointments since our son had surgery."

He continued: "You've got a cardiologist, a pediatrician, a surgeon. Some kids need an ambulance to transport them. That doesn't even count the parents who have to miss work for all this stuff. Those details? Newt forgot to mention."

Kimmel also noted criticism he's received from the media, including a headline from the New York Post that read, "Jimmy Kimmel's obscene lies about kids and medical care" and the Washington Times' "Shut up, Jimmy Kimmel, you elitist creep."

But he noted that he also received extensive shows of support after his monologue. "So many people made donations to Children's Hospital Los Angeles," he said. "What a humbling outpouring of support."

Despite the attention and support that his plea received, however, Kimmel pointed out that House Republicans still passed a bill that would substantially weaken the Obamacare.

Watch his comments below:

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